Pro Bono

The ABA Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP) is hosting a FREE CLE on October 18. You may attend in-person or by webinar. This is an educational program for lawyers on current developments in the areas of military and veterans' law. Please visit http://ambar.org/lampcle for further information and to register.

The morning session will provide a wide-ranging look at family law issues arising with the military client, including the military's response to domestic violence, co-occurring conditions of domestic violence, divorce, custody/timesharing, child support, military pension division, alimony, and equitable distribution.

The afternoon session will address consumer protection issues facing our military and veterans that are related to charities, debt and credit, benefits, and housing, along with financial issues. It will also provide an overview of the Florida Attorney General's Military and Veterans Assistance Program (MVAP), and how legal organizations can address the needs of our military and veteran communities separately and through collaborative partnerships.

ALDF’s Pro Bono Program is the nation’s largest pro bono network for animal protection. Working to expand the practice and understanding of animal law in the legal community, the Pro Bono Program partners with attorneys and pro bono coordinators across the country. The program utilizes these volunteers to support the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s litigation, criminal justice, and legislative goals. We provide volunteers with access to the organizations’ resources and expertise, including model laws, pleadings and briefs, and current animal protection laws. Through the program, thousands of pro bono hours have been donated on behalf of animals, and some of the most significant cases in the field of animal law involved pro bono counsel.

The Pro Bono Program also works to expand the practice and understanding of animal law in the legal community by delivering presentations at law firms and state bar association events and keeping volunteers updated on the latest cases, animal law conferences, and continuing legal education opportunities. Additionally, the Pro Bono Program assists bar association members interested in forming or sustaining animal law bar sections or committees.

Visit www.aldf.org for additional information and to become a paralegal member.

Operation Gratitude Volunteer Opportunity for Local Associations

NFPA is pleased to announce our corporate partnership with Operation Gratitude. Operation Gratitude sends Care Packages filled with entertainment, hygiene, and handmade items, non-perishable snacks, and personal letters of appreciation to U.S. Troops, First Responders, Veterans, Military Families, and Wounded Heroes & their Care Givers. The NFPA Pro Bono and Armed Forces Committees are pleased to support this wonderful project. This project provides our associations with the opportunity to express our gratitude to those who serve. All the details on how you or your local association can participate can be downloaded here.

NFPA and the Homeless Youth Legal Network
The ABA HYLN Pro Bono project is a new initiative aimed at increasing legal services and improving outcomes for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. Pro bono paralegal assistance may be needed at shelters in your area. The ABA is currently conducting a survey to gather information and match potential lawyers and non-lawyer volunteers. This short survey is for lawyers, law firms, pro bono programs, law schools, and other legal service providers who are interested in getting involved with the pro bono initiative. Your responses will equip the ABA to begin collaborating with you to potentially match your organization with a local homeless youth shelter or drop-in center. Please visit this link to complete the survey and check the "volunteer non-lawyer box". Contact Christine Flynn, NFPA/ABA Pro Bono Liaison, with any questions.

The NFPA Pro Bono Committee is excited to announce the following pro bono opportunity available to paralegals through the American Bar Association (ABA):

The ABA Veterans' Claims Assistance Network (VCAN) provides a unique, limited-scope pro bono volunteer opportunity for lawyers to help veterans with the preparation and completion of claims for disability compensation benefits, resulting in their claims receiving expedited review by the VA. As you know, NFPA previously adopted the Veterans Initiative in partnership with the American Bar Association (ABA).

Over the past year, Christine Flynn, NFPA/ABA Pro Bono Liaison, and Linda Odermott, RP, OCP, NFPA Armed Forces Coordinator, have worked closely with Jason Vail, Chief Counsel, Division for Legal Services at the American Bar Association (ABA), to identify paralegal pro bono opportunities in the veterans arena. We are pleased to announce that VCAN is now offering volunteer registration to paralegals who wish to participate pro bono. This is a wonderful opportunity for our local paralegal members to assist VCAN on a national basis.

Please circulate this pro bono opportunity to your local associations and stay tuned for additional details on this amazing project. Please direct any questions regarding this project to Christine Flynn.